Presser foot attachments

ABSTRACT

A foot component including a downwardly directed presser surface means is pivotally connected to a transverse slide bar located above the foot component by a longitudinal beam. The beam is rigid with the slide bar and is pivotally attached to the foot component. The slide bar is frictionally retained in a transverse slideway formed in the lower end portion of a mounting shank.

United States Patent Howell Dec. 17, 1974 PRESSER FOOT ATTACHMENTS 2,804,037 8/1957 Connors 112/235 3,098,460 7/1963 Yoshida...

[76] Inventor Robe" Hmve! 3400 Mercer 3,294,048 12 1966 M10816 112/240 y Mercer Island, Wash- 98040 3,433,192 3/1969 Pingitore et a1. 112 235 3,646,899 3/1972 Reynolds 1 112/235 [22] 1972 3,716,008 2/1973 Howell 112 240 App]. No.: 280,473

Related US. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. Nos. 125,203, March 17, 1971, abandoned, and Ser. No, 764,518, Oct. 2, 1968, said Ser. No. 125,203, is a division of Ser. No. 869,836, Oct. 27, 1969, Pat No. 3,618,547, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 764,453, Oct. 2, 1968, Pat. No. 3,511,201, said Ser. No. 764,518, and Ser. No. 764,453, each is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 678,742, Oct. 27, 1967, Pat. No. 3,473,498, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 501,066, Oct. 22, 1965, Pat. No. 3,349,736, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 475,486, July 28, 1965, Pat. No. 3,342,151.

US. Cl. 112/235 Int. Cl D05b 29/10 Field of Search 112/235, 236, 237, 238,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Maxson 112/235 Primary Examiner-James R. Boler Assistant Examiner-Peter Nerbun Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Graybeal, Barnard, Uhlir & Hughes [57] ABSTRACT A foot component including a downwardly directed presser surface means is pivotally connected to a transverse slide bar located above the foot component by a longitudinal beam. The beam is rigid with the slide bar and is pivotally attached to the foot component. The slide bar is frictionally retained in a transverse slideway formed in the lower end portion of a mounting shank.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 1 71974 3,854.432

' same or 2 PRESSER FOOT ATTACHMENTS CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 125,203, (now abandoned) entitled Mounting of Presser Foot Attachments, filed on Mar. 17, 1971, as a U.S. division of my prior application Ser. No. 869,836, (now U.S. Pat. No. 3,618,547) entitled Zipper Foot Attachments, and filed on Oct. 27, 1969 as a continuation-in-part of my vcopending application Ser. No. 764,453, entitled Presser Foot Mounting, and filed Oct. 2, 1968. It is also a continuation-in-part of my prior application Ser. No. 764,5l8, entitled Presser Foot Assemblies and filed on Oct. 2, 1968.

U.S. Ser. Nos. 764,453 and 764,518 were both filed as continuation-in-part applications of my copending application Ser. No. 678,742, entitled Installation of Concealed Zippers and Presser Foot Attachments, filed OCt. 27, 1967, as a continuation-in-part of my then copending application Ser. No. 501,066, entitled Zipper Foot Attachment, filed Oct. 22, 1965, as a continuation-in-part of my earlier copending application Ser. No. 475,486, filed July 28, 1965 and entitled Universal Presser Foot Attachment.

Application Ser. No. 475,486 issued as U.S. Pat. No. 3,342,151 on Sept. 19, 1967. Application Ser. No. 501,066 issued as U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,736 on Oct. 31, 1967. Application Ser. No. 678,742 issued as U.S. Pat. No. 3,473,498 on Oct. 21, 1969. Application Ser. No. 764,453 issued as U.S. Pat. No. 3,511,201 on May 12, 1970. Application Ser. No. 764,518 issued as U.S. Pat. No. 3,511,200 on May 12, 1970.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to presser foot assemblies for sewing machines, and more particularly to such assemblies for use in installing zippers or other types of elongated articles which need guiding during their installation, e.g., cording, piping, etc. Some of the features of the invention specifically relate to presser foot assemblies for use in installing invisible or concealed zippers.

2. Description of the Prior Art Known laterally adjustable presser foot assemblies are of two types. In the first type the adjustable connection comprises a member having a laterally elongated slot which receives the shank portion of the clamp screw. Examples of foot assemblies of this type are shown by Brugess, U.S. Pat. No. 3,024,751 and Micale, U.S. Pat. No. 3,294,048. The second type includes a slide joint having only two positions of use. The slidable member is retained in each of these positions by the pressure of a spring biased ball detent. This type of foot assembly is shown by Yoshida, U.S. Pat. No. 3,098,460. I

Other known presser foot forms are disclosed in Smallbone, US. Pat. No. 1,930,628, and in Dixon et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,909,136.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to improved ways of adjusting a foot component relative to its mounting shank, and to mounting means permitting the foot component to pitch in response to the passage of materials of unequal thickness below it.

These and other features of the invention are exemplified by the embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a form of zipper foot assembly according to the present invention, with the foot component shown by solid lines and the mounting shank shown by broken lines;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the zipper foot assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the foot component portion of the zipper foot assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 isa bottom plan view of the foot component portion of the zipper foot assembly of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 1 but of a modified form of zipper foot assembly;

FIG. 6 is a view like FIG. 2, of the form shown by FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 3 of the form shown by FIGS. 5 and 6; and

FIG. 8 is a view like 4, of the form shown by FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring specifically to FIG. 1, the zipper foot assembly is shown to comprise a mounting shank l0 and a foot component 12. Foot component 12 includes a pair of bottom runners 1 4 which extend in parallelism on opposite sides of the zipper chain path through the foot component 12. Between the runners 14 the zipper chain path exists as a longitudinal bottom groove 16. Such groove 16 is of such a height and width that its bounding surfaces neither contact nor interfere with the zipper tooth chain.

The forward portion of the zipper chain path is defined by a peripheral groove formed in a roller 20. R01- ler 20 includes live axles 22 at its opposite ends. These axles 22 are snap fitted into downwardly opening bearing sockets 24 (FIG. 2) formed in the forward end portions of the side walls 26, 28 of the foot component 12. These bearing sockets 24 have main portions which are slightly larger in diameter than the axles 22 and entrance portions which are narrower than the diameter of the axles 22. As a result, the axles 22 have to be snap fitted into the sockets 24. This. construction both makes it easier to construct and fabricate the foot assembly, and makes it possible for the user to readily replace the roller 20 with a different type of roller, e.g., a roller for installing a different type of zipper.

Roller 20 includes a M-shaped peripheral groove providing two guide avenues 20, 32 on opposite sides of a divider 34. Such roller 20 is designed to be used for installing a slot tooth metal or a continuous filament plastic zipper.

Roller 20 also includes presser surfaces 36, 38 on the opposite sides of the guide means 30, 32, 34.

The exact configuration of the guide means 30, 32, 34 will vary in accordance with the type of zipper or other article for which the foot is adapted.

Roller 20 is mounted for free rotation about an axis which is substantially transversely related to the sewing path. Each guide groove 30, 32 allows free passage of its zipper tooth chain through the foot component 12.

Grooves 30, 32 also correctly orient the zipper tooth chains relative to the needle.

The entrance avenues 30, 32 of the foot component 18 are configured to roll the zipper teeth contacted by the side surfaces thereof over into a nearly supine position, with the inner side portions of the teeth closely adjacent the fabric to which the zipper tape is being sewn. Placement of the teeth in a nearly supine position requires a rolling of the teeth from their natural attitude into the nearly supine position. It is desirable to establish a stitch line which is quite close to the portions of the teeth bounding the needle. Thus, this criteria is used for designing the entrance portions 30, 32 of the zipper teeth avenues.

Foot component 12 includes a transverse groove or socket 40 in its top about half way between its ends. A pivot axle 42 is snap fitted within this groove 40. Axle 42 extends through a mounting tongue 44 and has end portions projecting laterally outwardly on opposite sides of tongue 44 in trunnion fashion. The top portion of the foot component 12 is recessed at 46 (FIG. 2), so as to receive the tongue 44 and permit limited pivotal movement of it relative to the foot component 12.

A transverse slide bar 48 is connected to the rear portion of tongue 44. Slide bar 48 is similar in construction to slide bar 26 of the embodiment shown in my aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,151 except that its lower portion is slanted somewhat at 50 for the purpose of increasing the pivotal capacity of such bar 48 relative to the foot component 12.

Slide bar 48 is designed for use with the same set of mounting shanks which are disclosed in said U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,151.

The lower end portion of mounting shank includes interiorly grooved flange end portions and the end surfaces of a web adjacent thereto, together define a slideway for the slide bar 48. Such slideway has a crosssectional shape that is substantially identical to the cross-sectional shape of the slide bar 48, but is slightly undersized in comparison to the slide bar 48. Therefore, the end portions of the flanges must be sprung apart slightly, or the bar 48 must be slotted so that it can be compressed slightly, to allow entry of the slide bar 48 into the slideway. This assures a tight fit and results in the slide bar 48 being frictionally retained in any position in which it is set. It also permits easy repositioning of the foot component 12 relative to the mounting shank 10. The operator need only exert an endwise force on the slide bar 48 relative to the mounting shank 10 which is of sufficient magnitude to overcome the frication forces.

The slideway mated with the slide bar 48 is oriented relative to the shank 10 in such a way that the mounting shank 10 is perpendicular to the foot component 12 and is colinearly relatable to the upright presser bar of the sewing machine. Reference is made to my aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,151 for a showing of how a foot assembly according to this invention is to be mounted onto a presser bar. The foot component 12 may be mounted by any one of the various mounting means disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,473,498.

The disclosures of all aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,342,151, 3,349,736 and 3,473,498 are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to the embodiment shown by FIGS. 5-7, the foot component 12 is basically like the foot component shown by FIGS. 1-4 and described above.

It includes a pair of bottom runners 14 which extend in parallelism on opposite sides of the zipper chain path through the foot component 12. Between the runners 14 the zipper chain path exists as a longitudinal bottom groove 16. Such groove 16 is at such a height and width that its bounding surfaces do not interfere with, nor prevent free passage of the zipper tooth chain.

The forward portion of the zipper tooth chain path is defined by a peripheral groove 30' or 32' formed in a roller 20. Roller 20 includes a socket at one end for receiving a fixed or dead axle 22' and a live axle 22" at its opposite end. Dead axle 22' is an inward lateral projection formed on sidewall 26. Live axle 22" is received in a socket formed in an inner portion of sidewall 28. This socket is coaxial with the dead axle 22. The roller 20' is snap fitted into position between the sidewalls 26, 28. This may be done by inserting the roller socket onto the dead axle 22 and then swinging the opposite end of the roller 20' towards sidewall 26. The live axle 22" is snapped through a channel entranceway into the socket therefor in sidewall 26'.

The exact configuration of the guide avenues 30, 32 will vary inaccordance with the type of zipper or other article for which the foot is adapted. Roller 20' also includes presser surfaces 36', 38' on opposite sides of the guide avenues 30', 32.

As in the earlier embodiment, roller 20 is mounted for free rotation about an axis which is substantially transversely related to the sewing path. Each guide groove 30, 32 allows free passage of its zipper to the chain through the zipper foot component 12. Grooves 30, 32 also correctly orient the zipper to the chains relative the needle N.

Foot component 12' is recessed on its sides rearwardly of the side portions 26', 28'. These recesses receive connector means in the form of a pair of parallel arms 52, 54. Arms 52, 54 are rigidly connected to lower portions of a transverse slide bar 48' and extend forwardly therefrom. The forward ends of the arms 52, 54 carry inwardly projecting axles 56, 58 which are snap fitted into transverse grooves or sockets formed in an upper intermediate portion of the foot component body. The transverse grooves include top entrance portions which are narrower than the diameters of the axles 56, 58. The axles 56, 58 are smaller in diameter than the grooves so that when such axles 56, 58 are within the grooves they can pivot freely therein. The portion of the foot component body which carry the transverse axle grooves is elevated slightly above the rearward portion of such body (FIG. 5) so that a vertical clearance exists between the slide bar 48' and the rear portion of the foot component body 12' when slide bar 48' is level. This arrangement increases the pivotal capacity of the bar 48 relative to the foot component 12.

In other embodiments the axles may be formed on the foot component body and the sockets therefor in the arms 52, 54.

The side portions 26', 28' of the foot component body include vertical needle receiving recesses 60, 62. This enables the vertical outside surfaces of portions 26', 28' to be used as finishing guides or the like, with the needle N being located in the recess 60 or the recess 62 during such use. The lateral adjustment permitted by the slide bar 48' and the slideway in the mounting shank 10 make this capability possible.

Except where stated otherwise, the term transverse slide member is used herein to mean either a slide bar which is engaged by a slide way formed on the mounting shank, or a member carrying a transverse slideway into which a slide bar on the mounting shank is received.

Having fully described typical embodiments of the invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is defined in the claims which follow:

1. For use with a sewing machine equipped with a reciprocating needle, a material advancing mechanism, and a presser bar located generally above said material advancing mechanism, a presser foot assembly comprising:

a foot component including downwardly directed presser surface means; a transverse slide member located above said foot component having a substantially constant cross-sectional configuration throughout its length;

mounting shank means removably connectible to said presser bar, and including means for frictionally engaging said transverse slide member, but permitting longitudinal travel of the transverse slide member in response to a force of sufficient magnitude to overcome the friction force, said means for frictionally engaging said slide member comprising means forming a transverse slideway at the lower end of the mounting shank having a cross-sectional configuration like that of the transverse slide member;

connector means interconnected between said transverse member and said foot component, permitting limited pivotal movement of the foot component relative to the transverse member within a vertical plane, so that when the foot assembly is in place on a presser bar the foot component is free to pitch slightly in response to variations in material thickness below it, said connector means comprising a pair of connector members, one on each side of said foot component, and each having a first end portion connected to the transverse member and a second portion spaced therefrom longitudinally of the foot component, and pivot joint means securing said second portion to said foot component for pivotal movement about an axis extending laterally of said foot component, each said connector member including a transverse pivot shaft received in a transverse socket formed in an upper intermediate portion of the foot component; and

said foot component being recessed at its sides to receive said connector members and including side boundaries forwardly of the recesses which serve as guide surfaces.

2. A presser foot assembly according to claim 1, wherein vertical needle receiving recesses are formed in said guide surfaces.

3. For use with a sewing machine equipped with a reciprocating needle, a material advancing mechanism, and a presser bar located generally above said material advancing mechanism, a presser foot assembly comprising:

a foot component including at least one presser roller mounted for free rotation about an axis which extends generally transversely of the sewing path, said roller including a material contacting peripheral groove configured to serve as a guide means for a chain of zipper teeth, for orienting such teeth into a particular attitude as they move relatively past the reciprocating needle, said foot component including passage space throughout the area rearwardly of said groove through which the zipper teeth pass during sewing;

a transverse slide member located above said foot component; mounting shank means removably connectible to said presser bar, and including means for frictionally engaging said transverse slide member, but permitting longitudinal travel of the transverse slide member in response to a force of sufficient magnitude to overcome the friction force;

connector means interconnected between said transverse member and said foot component, permitting limited pivotal movement of the foot component relative to the transverse member within a vertical plane, so that when the foot assembly is in place on a presser bar the foot component is free to pitch slightly in response to variations in material thick ness below it, said connector means comprising a pair of connector members, one on each side of said foot component, each said connector member having a first end portion connected to the transverse member and a second portion spaced therefrom longitudinally of the foot component, and pivot joint means securing said second portion to said foot component for pivotal movement about an axis extending laterally of said foot component, comprising a transverse pivot shaft on each connector member received in a transverse socket formed in an upper intermediate portion of the foot component; and

said foot component being recessed at its sides to receive said connector members and including side boundaries forwardly of the recesses which serve as guide surfaces.

4. A presser foot assembly according to claim 3, wherein said connector member extends from said pivot joint means both rearwardly and upwardly to its location of connection with the transverse slide memher.

5. A presser foot assembly according to claim 3, wherein said presser roller is mounted at the leading end of the foot component, said pivot joint means is located intermediate the length of the foot component and the transverse slide member is spaced above the trailing portion of the foot component.

6. A presser foot assembly according to claim 3, wherein vertical needle receiving recesses are formed in said guide surfaces.

7. For use with a sewing machine equipped with a reciprocating needle, a material advancing mechanism, a presser bar located generally above said material advancing mechanism, and mounting shank means removably connectible to said presser bar, including means for frictionally engaging a transverse slide member, but permitting longitudinal travel of the transverse slide member in response to a force of sufficient magnitude to overcome the friction force, a foot component comprising:

a body carrying downwardly directed presser surface means and rear side recesses; a transverse slide member located above said foot component body; and connector means interconnected between said transverse member and said foot component body, permitting limited pivotal movement of the foot component relative to the transverse member within a vertical plane, so that when the foot assembly is in place on a presser bar the foot component is free to pitch slightly in response to variations in material thickness below it, said connector means comprising a pair of connector members, one situated within each recess and each having a first end portion connected to the transverse member and a second portion spaced therefrom longitudinally of the foot component, and pivot joint means securing said second portions to said foot component for pivotal movement about an axis extending laterally of said foot component, said foot component body also including side boundaries forwardly of said recesses which serve as guide surfaces.

8. A presser foot component according to claim 7, wherein vertical needle receiving recesses are formed in said guide surfaces.

9. For use with a sewing machine equipped with a reciprocating needle, a material advancing mechanism, and a presser bar located generally above said material advancing mechanism, a presser foot assembly comprising:

a foot component including downwardly directed presser surface means;

a transverse slide member located above said foot component;

mounting shank means removably connectible to said presser bar, and including means for frictionally engaging said transverse slide member, but permitting longitudinal travel of the transverse slide member in response to a force of sufficient magnitude to overcome the friction force; and

connector means interconnected between said transverse member and said foot component, permitting limited pivotal movement of the foot component relative to the transverse member within a vertical plane, so that when the foot assembly is in place on a presser bar the foot component is free to pitch slightly in response to variations in material thickness below it, said connector means comprising a connector member having a first end portion connected to an intermediate portion of the transverse member and a second portion spaced therefrom longitudinally of the foot component, and pivot joint means securing said second portion to said foot component for pivotal movement about an axis extending laterally of said foot component, said pivot joint means comprising a transverse channel formed in an upper intermediate portion of the foot component which is substantially circular in cross section, and transverse pivot shaft means secured to said connector member and received in said transverse channel, said shaft being restrained against endwise movement in said channel or movement out from said channel but being free for limited pivotal movement in said channel about the longitudinal axis of said channel.

10. A presser foot assembly according to claim 9, wherein said connector means comprises a pair of connector members, one on each side of said foot component, and each said connector member includes a transverse pivot shaft received in said transverse channel formed in an upper intermediate portion of the foot component, constituting said pivot joint means. 

1. For use with a sewing machine equipped with a reciprocating needle, a material advancing mechanism, and a presser bar located generally above said material advancing mechanism, a presser foot assembly comprising: a foot component including downwardly directed presser surface means; a transverse slide member located above said foot component having a substantially constant cross-sectional configuration throughout its length; mounting shank means removably connectible to said presser bar, and inCluding means for frictionally engaging said transverse slide member, but permitting longitudinal travel of the transverse slide member in response to a force of sufficient magnitude to overcome the friction force, said means for frictionally engaging said slide member comprising means forming a transverse slideway at the lower end of the mounting shank having a cross-sectional configuration like that of the transverse slide member; connector means interconnected between said transverse member and said foot component, permitting limited pivotal movement of the foot component relative to the transverse member within a vertical plane, so that when the foot assembly is in place on a presser bar the foot component is free to pitch slightly in response to variations in material thickness below it, said connector means comprising a pair of connector members, one on each side of said foot component, and each having a first end portion connected to the transverse member and a second portion spaced therefrom longitudinally of the foot component, and pivot joint means securing said second portion to said foot component for pivotal movement about an axis extending laterally of said foot component, each said connector member including a transverse pivot shaft received in a transverse socket formed in an upper intermediate portion of the foot component; and said foot component being recessed at its sides to receive said connector members and including side boundaries forwardly of the recesses which serve as guide surfaces.
 2. A presser foot assembly according to claim 1, wherein vertical needle receiving recesses are formed in said guide surfaces.
 3. For use with a sewing machine equipped with a reciprocating needle, a material advancing mechanism, and a presser bar located generally above said material advancing mechanism, a presser foot assembly comprising: a foot component including at least one presser roller mounted for free rotation about an axis which extends generally transversely of the sewing path, said roller including a material contacting peripheral groove configured to serve as a guide means for a chain of zipper teeth, for orienting such teeth into a particular attitude as they move relatively past the reciprocating needle, said foot component including passage space throughout the area rearwardly of said groove through which the zipper teeth pass during sewing; a transverse slide member located above said foot component; mounting shank means removably connectible to said presser bar, and including means for frictionally engaging said transverse slide member, but permitting longitudinal travel of the transverse slide member in response to a force of sufficient magnitude to overcome the friction force; connector means interconnected between said transverse member and said foot component, permitting limited pivotal movement of the foot component relative to the transverse member within a vertical plane, so that when the foot assembly is in place on a presser bar the foot component is free to pitch slightly in response to variations in material thickness below it, said connector means comprising a pair of connector members, one on each side of said foot component, each said connector member having a first end portion connected to the transverse member and a second portion spaced therefrom longitudinally of the foot component, and pivot joint means securing said second portion to said foot component for pivotal movement about an axis extending laterally of said foot component, comprising a transverse pivot shaft on each connector member received in a transverse socket formed in an upper intermediate portion of the foot component; and said foot component being recessed at its sides to receive said connector members and including side boundaries forwardly of the recesses which serve as guide surfaces.
 4. A presser foot assembly according to claim 3, wherein said connector member extends from said pivot joint means both rearwardlY and upwardly to its location of connection with the transverse slide member.
 5. A presser foot assembly according to claim 3, wherein said presser roller is mounted at the leading end of the foot component, said pivot joint means is located intermediate the length of the foot component and the transverse slide member is spaced above the trailing portion of the foot component.
 6. A presser foot assembly according to claim 3, wherein vertical needle receiving recesses are formed in said guide surfaces.
 7. For use with a sewing machine equipped with a reciprocating needle, a material advancing mechanism, a presser bar located generally above said material advancing mechanism, and mounting shank means removably connectible to said presser bar, including means for frictionally engaging a transverse slide member, but permitting longitudinal travel of the transverse slide member in response to a force of sufficient magnitude to overcome the friction force, a foot component comprising: a body carrying downwardly directed presser surface means and rear side recesses; a transverse slide member located above said foot component body; and connector means interconnected between said transverse member and said foot component body, permitting limited pivotal movement of the foot component relative to the transverse member within a vertical plane, so that when the foot assembly is in place on a presser bar the foot component is free to pitch slightly in response to variations in material thickness below it, said connector means comprising a pair of connector members, one situated within each recess and each having a first end portion connected to the transverse member and a second portion spaced therefrom longitudinally of the foot component, and pivot joint means securing said second portions to said foot component for pivotal movement about an axis extending laterally of said foot component, said foot component body also including side boundaries forwardly of said recesses which serve as guide surfaces.
 8. A presser foot component according to claim 7, wherein vertical needle receiving recesses are formed in said guide surfaces.
 9. For use with a sewing machine equipped with a reciprocating needle, a material advancing mechanism, and a presser bar located generally above said material advancing mechanism, a presser foot assembly comprising: a foot component including downwardly directed presser surface means; a transverse slide member located above said foot component; mounting shank means removably connectible to said presser bar, and including means for frictionally engaging said transverse slide member, but permitting longitudinal travel of the transverse slide member in response to a force of sufficient magnitude to overcome the friction force; and connector means interconnected between said transverse member and said foot component, permitting limited pivotal movement of the foot component relative to the transverse member within a vertical plane, so that when the foot assembly is in place on a presser bar the foot component is free to pitch slightly in response to variations in material thickness below it, said connector means comprising a connector member having a first end portion connected to an intermediate portion of the transverse member and a second portion spaced therefrom longitudinally of the foot component, and pivot joint means securing said second portion to said foot component for pivotal movement about an axis extending laterally of said foot component, said pivot joint means comprising a transverse channel formed in an upper intermediate portion of the foot component which is substantially circular in cross section, and transverse pivot shaft means secured to said connector member and received in said transverse channel, said shaft being restrained against endwise movement in said channel or movement out from said channel but being free for limited pivotal movement in said channel about the longitudinal axis Of said channel.
 10. A presser foot assembly according to claim 9, wherein said connector means comprises a pair of connector members, one on each side of said foot component, and each said connector member includes a transverse pivot shaft received in said transverse channel formed in an upper intermediate portion of the foot component, constituting said pivot joint means. 